ATTACKED BY MOB

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1932, Page 8

ATTACKED BY MOB

CONSTABLE SUBMITS REPORT. ON RECENT AUCKLAND RIOT’S

A graphic account of the riot in Queen Street, Auckland, last month is contained in a mounted constable’s report to his superior oificers, released ror publication by the Commissioner of Police,* Mr W. G.’ Wohimann. The report, from which the names of the'constable and bis colleagues have been deleted, is an unvarnished story of one man’s experience during the struggle with the mob. It is dramatic in its simplicity. The writer was badly injured by flying missies and was discharged from the hospital early Inis month. His'statement js as follows '*l beg to report that during the evening of April 14, while standing by for orders at Government House, where mounted constables were on duty with troop-horses saddled, Constable ,' motor-driver, informed us that we were all wanted at once at the Town Hall, where a riot was taking place. . “We at once trotted to the Town Hall. A large crowd was then across the Queen Street intersection, apparently in an ugly mood. Soon after 1 had left Rutland Street I received a stone on the left side of the face which nearly knocked me out,’ and which caused my left eye to rapidly close, and I was completely stunned.

FOLLOWED AUTOMATICALLY 1

I followed Constable automatictally and as far as I dan remember we received orders to clear the street. 1 cannot remember who actually gave the order. We commenced to clear the crowd after getting through to the south side of them and moving them toward the north side of Queen'Street, when a foot constable whore name or wlio he was 1 cannot remember, said we were wanted at Airedale Street. All the time srones, etc., were being thrown at us. • “Another mounted constable and I went to Airedale Street, but as to what took place there I have no recollection, expect that just as we were returning into Queen Street a large plate-glass window on the corner of Airedale Street was broken and stones fell about me. The’crash of the glass apparently brought me to my senses as T remember that the street was then clear except for some persons who were well up Airedale Street near the junction of St. Paul’s Street.

“My head was aching—l had apparently been hit with stones on the back.

The other mounted constable and 1 then assisted to clear the street in front of-the north side of the . Town Hall. I was then on the extreme left of the mounted constables and was the nearest target for those people on the western side of Queen Street.

TARGET FOR STONE-THROWERS

“Owing to the density of the crowd and there nof being enough mounted men to clear both footpaths and- the road in Queen Street at the same time. I had perforce to look after the western footpath and also as far as possible push back the crowd in the road on the western side of the street, while the other mounted constables were clearing the eastern side of Queen Street, including the footpath. We were all jn line pushing the crowd back in the road toward Wakefield Street. “Meanwhile the crowd were throwing stones etc., and, being nearest to those on the western footpath, I was struck several times with stones being again hit on the left side of the face, which then started to bleed; also at' the backe of the head, on the left side of the ribs and body, and left knee.

“By this time 1 was bleeding profusely from the back of the head and face, Init kept on until we had turned tin: crowd at Wakefield Street corner, when apparently a revolver shot was fired either in or outside a second-hand shop on the corner of Wakefield'Street.

“There were cries of ‘Lynch him!” ■and as the crowd were then in a very dirty mood, gave orders to clear the crowd in Wakefield Street. As far as I remember we did this while the other mounted constables attended to Queen Street.

DIZZY FROM LOSS OF BLOOD

;j§ “I was hit several times with to nos i'i in Wakefield Street but not seriously. and when returning down the bill in 31 Wakefield Street toward Queen Street II I became very dizzy and wanted to ' fall from the saddle, as I had been 1 losing too much blood from the side | of the face and the back of the head. ; “1 informed that I had lost too | much blood and could not keep in the *; a iddle and to get someone for my ■’ j horse. -——ordered me to the St. * j John Ambulance in Rutland Street ; j and. still being n o ;me<!, T pushed j I through the crowd out ide the dared- 1 3 don Hotel. Although tin »r * wore the = usual stones and bottles thrown at me % as far as I remember 1 wijs not again t, lit. e “I do not remember riding on the ' horse through liutland Street, and the ' next thing f remember was. that T was i i spoken to by constables outside the j | Girl’s Home near the vicinity ef Weli j lesl ’y Street. 1 then gof off the horse ij and handed the horse to Constable and then went into the St; .John Amj bulaneo, where I \u;s attended to by ja doctor, and will) Cousfahle —, j went in an ambulance to the Auckland 1 j Hospital, where I had si it clow. put in j the face and the back - of lln- M '■ I “After having the slit her pur in I j I must have collapsed, as later I w:r on I a stretcher and was vomiting, being | *' “ 1

admitted to the" Hospital suffering from concussion a double fracture of the bones under the left eye. and injuries to the ribs and other minor bruises. “J was discharged from the hospital on May 2. I am progressing as well ns can lie expected, but am still very is I inky, suffering from headaches and pains in the vicinity of the ribs. On two occasions mv ribs were X-rayed at the hospital and it was found there, was no fracture, let a pirently the rib muscles damaged. “As my tunic, riding breeches and cap were damaged M - Mood I am reporting this matter on a separate file.”